Empowering language

Feeling tired recently with a sore throat, I was comforted in more ways than one when I ate a cough drop. There are encouraging words, “a pep talk in every drop,” written on each wrapper: Hi-five yourself; Buckle down and push forth; and Seize the Day, are just a few. I felt a bit more energetic just after reading the wrapper.

Feeling tired recently with a sore throat, I was comforted in more ways than one when I ate a cough drop. There are encouraging words, "a pep talk in every drop," written on each wrapper: Hi-five yourself; Buckle down and push forth; and Seize the Day, are just a few. I felt a bit more energetic just after reading the wrapper.

It makes me think of all the promising words featured in media and advertising. Stay Grounded (Maxwell House coffee), Live United (United Way), Let the Memories Begin (Disney), Enjoy the Go (Charmin), Seize the Moments (Swiss Miss hot cocoa), Let Creativity Flow Naturally (Samsung), Rethink Possible (AT&T), Just Do It (Nike), Have a Coke and a Smile.

We do desire and need such experiences in our lives, and the advertising companies know this. They spend a great deal of time and money to create such appealing ads. It's called persuasive or motivational advertising and it's used to attract attention, engage minds, trigger emotions and change what people think, leading to ultimate sales of the product. The ads are active, supercharged and empowering, and although the product won't really give you the experience unless you're willing to have it, the empowering words that sell the product may encourage a call to action ~ helping you become more proactive or engaged. Rather than just landing upon your lap along with the product, the desired experience may come after some awareness and use of energy. When you purchase an AT&T product, you may pay attention to the phrase, "rethink possible" and create opportunities within your environment to do so. Or when you notice, "seize the moments" on your hot cocoa container, you may realize it is something you want to do more of in your life.

Advertising's got it figured out ~ what we need and what we don't get enough of. If we could take the time to figure out our own needs, what words or phrases keep us moving forward and feeling great, we can use them regularly and offer the same to other people. Without even buying certain products, we can build and motivate a community to move more, move faster, and to reach their goals. Take time this week to notice what advertisements you are drawn to? What is the ad promising or promoting? Make that slogan or phrase yours for the week. Print it out, write it down and post it somewhere where you will see it frequently. Notice how the words encourage you throughout the week. Then share them with others.